Detachable carrying handle



5 WP. BIRQK 2,802,253

I DETACHABLE CARRYING HANDLE Filed Nqv. 28, 1955 William F B/rc/r I N V EN TOR.

United States Patent ()fifiee 2,802,253 Patented Aug. 13, 1957 This invention generally relates to a carrying handle and more specifically provides a device for handling large heavy objects such as caskets over open holes such as an 7 open grave for permitting easier manipulation of the object.

An object of the present invention is to provide a carrying handle for detachable engagement under a heavy object such as a casket for handling or lowering caskets into an open grave whereby the casket may be lifted from a position outwardly of the open grave to eliminate lifting in an awkward and strained position and also to eliminate an accidental slippage of the persons lifting the casket into the open grave.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a detachable carrying handle in accordance with the preceding object including an easily detachable handle on one end of the device to permit release of the main lifting portion of the device to permit it to be easily disengaged from under the casket.

Other objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease of operation, effectiveness for its particular purposes and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the device of the present invention in use in underlying relation to a casket;

Figure 2 is an exploded group perspective view of the elements of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3-3 of Figure 1 illustrating the detachable handle construction and the sleeve slidably receiving the main body portion of the elongated rod or bar;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 44 of Figure 1 illustrating the construction of the rigidly attached handle; and

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 55 of Figure 1 illustrating the construction of the transverse support member slidably mounted on the elongated bar.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the detachable carrying handle of the present invention for permitting easier handling of a relatively large heavy object such as a receptacle in the nature of a casket 12 or the like whereby the casket 12 may be easily lifted, lowered or handled in overlying relation to an open grave to eliminate the necessity of lifting while in a strained position.

The detachable handle 10 includes an elongated main body in the nature of a rod or bar 14 which is substantially square in cross sectional area. Integrally formed on one end of the rod 14 is an upstanding end portion 16 of square cross sectional area which terminates at its upper end in a flattened portion 18 in longitudinal alignment with the upstanding portion 16 wherein the flattened portion 18 terminates at its upper end in an outwardly extending handle or handgrip 20 which is substantially parallel to the rod 14 but in spaced relation or olfset relation thereto.

A removable handle member generally designated by the numeral 22 is provided with a U-shaped sleeve 24 having the upper ends of the legs thereof connected to an upstanding portion 26 as by welding 28 wherein the upstanding portion 26 terminates in a flattened portion 30 that in turn terminates in an outwardly extending handgrip or handle 32 substantially identical to the handgrip 20. The sleeve 24 is constructed in substantially the same shape as the rod 14 for slidable engagement therealong substantially as illustrated in Figure 1 wherein the handle member 22 together with the integral handle construction on the other end of the rod 14 permits easier lifting of the casket 12 by positioning of the hands 34 in the manner shown.

For supporting the casket 12 for lateral stability, a U-shaped strap 36 is provided with outwardly extending legs 38 having a fiat plate 40 secured thereto by fastening rivets 42 wherein the plate 40 forms a horizontally disposed supporting surface extending laterally from the rod 14 for engaging the casket 12 thereby providing lateral stability to the casket 12 to permit the use of a single detachably carrying handle 10 for each casket'12 wherein the rod 14 is disposed substantially along the longitudinal center of the casket 12 thereby permitting the casket 12 to be lifted Without danger of tilting about substantially a longitudinal axis. The detachable engagement of the handle member 22 with the rod 14 permits the handle member 22 to be easily removed after the casket 12 has been positioned in the desired position thereby permitting the rod 14 and the integral handle portion at the other end thereof to be easily retracted.

The present invention permits easier handling of a casket or a similar heavier object wherein the oflset relation of the handles 20 and 32 permit a person to easily raise or lower the casket 12 without being endangered by slipping into the open grave or by straining muscles due to the awkward position while lifting.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A carrying device for caskets comprising an elongated carrying rod having a laterally projecting handle formed on one end thereof, a second laterally projecting handle slidably mounted on said rod for adjustment toward and from the first mentioned handle to vary the spacing between said handles, and an elongated plate on said rod intermediate said handles extending crosswise of said rod for centrally supporting a casket, said plate being slidably adjustably mounted on the rod for adjustment along the same independently of said adjustable handle for centering said plate between said handles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 127,837 Benson June 11, 1872 

